Build Recurring Income

I am a US Citizens living abroad. I am in the process of filing tax return for 2008 for foreign earned income based on IRS' publication 54. Our earned income has already been taxed once by the country we live in.
I see that there are two ways to avoid double taxation on your income -the foreign earned income exclusion and the foreign tax credit.
Can somebody please explain the difference between the two and point out advantages to use one over another?

Any ideas to save on income tax before one has to start making withdrawals from IRA?
I thought one way would be if you're 67 years old and you know you will have major medical expenses in these next 2 years, should you withdraw some out of your IRA since you will be able to deduct the medical expenses from your taxes? Otherwise, if you wait till 70 1/2, then you will not have the deduction benefit.
Any other ways to save income tax when you start making IRA withdrawals?

Any ideas to save on income tax before one has to start making withdrawals from IRA?
I thought one way would be if you're 67 years old and you know you will have major medical expenses in these next 2 years, should you withdraw some out of your IRA since you will be able to deduct the medical expenses from your taxes? Otherwise, if you wait till 70 1/2, then you will not have the deduction benefit.
Any other ways to save income tax when you start making IRA withdrawals?

Any ideas to save on income tax before one has to start making withdrawals from IRA?
I thought one way would be if you're 67 years old and you know you will have major medical expenses in these next 2 years, should you withdraw some out of your IRA since you will be able to deduct the medical expenses from your taxes? Otherwise, if you wait till 70 1/2, then you will not have the deduction benefit.
Any other ways to save income tax when you start making IRA withdrawals?